“I’ll get it,” I said, heading for the door. My beer nearly dropped out of my hand when I saw who was behind it. “I thought you left.”
Sam’s gorgeous hazel-green eyes popped when she noticed the beer. “Is this a bad time?”
I shook my head. “I managed to not get kicked out of flight school for being dyslexic, so it seems like a pretty good time, I guess.” The one-color vibe she had going with her black capri pants and halter top was broken up by the hot pink of the cast peeking out above her black sling. She still looked phenomenal.
“You’re dyslexic?” Her eyebrows drew together in concern, not judgment, and I sagged a little with relief.
“Not according to the army.”
“But you are.” She shook her head. “It all makes perfect sense now. The studying, needing to know the answer to a question when only the first few words had been asked. Are the gauges dangerous for you?”
I shook my head. “I’ve never had a problem when flying, or driving. Only written tests, and that’s only when I’m overloaded.”
“How did they find out?”
“My father called and voiced his concern.”
Her mouth dropped open. I wanted to suck that bottom lip into my mouth, to close the unforgivable distance between us. “I can’t believe he would do that. I mean, I know he doesn’t want you flying, but to sabotage you like that?”
“He’s sure my…difficulties caused the accident with Grace. Sure, he acknowledges that Owen may have had something to do with it, but if I’d been a better driver, I would have been able to avoid going over. Owen didn’t exactly help and said he’d been way ahead of us when he entered our lane, instead of less than a couple car-lengths.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m beginning to leave room for that possibility.”
She smiled, and my heart ceased functioning.
“I’ve missed you,” I whispered.
Her smile faded.
“Are you going to invite her in, or just stand in the doorframe all night?” Jagger asked.
“Hi, Jagger. Thanks for not donating my brain to medical science while I was unconscious,” Sam replied.
“Only because they didn’t offer me enough money,” he teased.
“Come on in,” I offered, stepping back. “It’s your home, too, you know.”
She stepped inside but shook her head. “Not anymore.”
What hope I had dwindled as I shut the door. Jagger and Josh were still leaned up against the kitchen counter. “Want to talk in my bedroom?” Our bedroom.
An awareness passed between us as she looked at me. “I think the couch is safer.”
“Only to those with no imagination,” I replied softly.
She closed her eyes. “Don’t. This is hard enough already.”
Shit. That wasn’t the line of a woman who came to make up. “Let’s sit.”
She took the loveseat and I took the couch. “We’re going to…” Josh started.
“Go somewhere a little less awkward than here,” Jagger finished.
“Nice,” Sam replied. They both came around the loveseat and took turns hugging her.
“You got the keys?” Jagger asked.
“I’m all set. Thank you again,” she said with a soft smile. Was she moving back in after we moved post-graduation? Just waiting for me to leave?
“I keep it for a reason. I’m just glad it’ll be of use. Text when you get there, and soak up that Colorado sunshine.” He hugged her again and left us alone.
“You’re leaving.” My voice came out a hell of a lot mellower than I felt.
“So are you,” she answered.
“Not for two more months. You’re running away. From what? Me? Us?” I leaned forward to where our knees almost touched.
“It’s actually the opposite. Harrison? My ex? Turns out I’m not the only student he slept with. I have an enemy in the registrar’s office, and she’s been altering my transcript every time I apply to a new school. Given the harassing emails she’s sent me, my guess would be she’s done the same to the other girls.”